PS 3507 
.P655 
S6 
1920 
Copy 1 



SPANISH MOSS 

AND 

ENGLISH MYRTLE 



MARGARET DASHIELL 




GoRyrightl^«__ia^_Q_ 

COEXRIGHT DEPOSm 



SPANISH MOSS 

AND 

ENGLISH MYRTLE 

BY 

Margaret Dashiell 




1920 

THE STRATFORD COMPANY, PUBLISHERS 

Boston, Massachusetts 



Copyright 1920 

Tlie STRATFORD CO., Publishen 

Boston, Mass. 



The Alpine Press, Boston, Mass., U. S. A. 

JUL 12 1920 
©Ci,A570663 



Contents 



Vieux Carre 

Lagniappe 

Veilleuse 

Bouquets 

The Praline-Seller 

Philtre d 'Amour . 

Mardi Gras 

A Courtyard Garden 

Ave Maria . 

Parfait Amour 

Decedee 

Tons Saints 

Jour de I'An 

Tante Philomene's Pot-au-Feu 

Mammy Speaks . 

Mammy Grown Old 

Indian Summer . 

Virginia Myrtles 

Everybody's Mammy 

A Little Lad to Mammy 

Some Persimmons from Virginia 



PAGE 

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Foreword 

SHALL we not go where dreamland lies, 
Beyond the mountains bine; 
Where Time is wrapped in golden haze, 
And heart's desires come true? 

The path is steep, and hard to climb ; 

Yet once its height attain, 
Anchorage find from every storm, 

Shelter from wind and rain. 



Vieux Carre 

I WANDERED through the Vieux Carre 
Where Romance still abides today. 
Beneath the fretted balconies 
I saw the lovely Arthemise 
With 'Sieur de Vaudreuil flitting by 
Like a bright-winged butterfly. 

The stones of this quaint narrow street 
Were pressed by Father Antoiue's feet 
As up and down the long allee 
He told his beads from day to day. 
Here strolled with step as light as air 
Gay insouciant Dagobert. 

And then came one in royal state 
(The end of all, however great) 
To lie beneath that altar high 
He raised the Lord to glorify. 
So, still at eve, the bell must toll, 
Remembering Don Andres' soul. 

[1] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 

These ancient battened blinds of green, 
In which the pierced hearts are seen ; 
This gate enriched with vines and doves 
Must have enshrined some youthful loves. 
Oh, Manon, did you herein dwell, 
In that brief hour when life went well? 

We knock, before this small door swings. 
Upon an angel 's outspread wings ■ — 
Ah, me! the young, the brave, the fair 
Drowsing in this old cimetiere — 
Narrow the beds for you today, 
Joyous souls of the Vieux Carre. 

Beneath these dark dim cypress trees 

Lies all that was fair Arthemise, 

And still and cold, at his full length, 

See now de Vaudreuil's youthful strength. 

Hands folded on each quiet breast. 

Gray mosses lull you into rest. 



[2] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 



Lagniappe* 

WHEN Father Antoine walked abroad, 
All the gamins begged a blessing; 
And when his gentle voice was still, 
They would say, in tones caressing : 
' ' Lagniappe, lagniappe, 
Donnez-moi une picayune pour lagniappe." 

The aged hand then quickly sought 

The leathern purse's opening wide; 
And copper coins would fall like snow 
To shrilling thanks on every side : 
"Merci, rnerci, pere Antoine, 
C'est bon lagniappe, merci." 

A little gift — a something more : 
As in the kindly Father's day, 
The pleasant custom still prevails 

In the quaint shops of the Vieux Carre : 
' ' Lagniappe, lagniappe, 
Lagniappe, si'l vous plait." 



Father Antoine originated the custom of Lagniappe 
friendly gift to purchasers in the French quarter. 

[3] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 

So, when your purchases are made, 

(And Royal Street's the very place,) 
M'sieur lays St. Joseph in your hands. 
And says, with smiling, courtly grace : 
"C'est pour lagniappe, Madame, 
C'est pour laguiappe." 



[4] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 



Veilleuse 

THE quiet hand of Night 
Soothes the old town to sleep, 
And my small taper's light 
Leads me to waters deep. 

Where long green marshlands lie 
Near white sands of the Bay, 

Tall oaks, against the sky, 
Are cloaked in mosses gray. 

A heron seeks her nest 

Where bright swamp lilies grow; 
And bliss rewards my quest 

With dreams that none may know. 

Little taper burning, 

Still grant me visions bright, 
Ere the day's returning 

To blind my inner sight. 



[5] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 



Bouquets 

WHEN Ozette has bound her flowers 
To the twig of a willow tree, 
Purchase a bunch on Bourbon Street 
From her little black Ozemi. 

Violets, olives and jasmine, 

With a soupQon de vetivert ; 
All of this for a picayune — 

It is not to be found elsewhere. 

Fresh and damp with the morning dew. 
And sweet with the breath of the Bay, 

"While Ozemi in liquid tones 

Hopes Madame may like her bouquet. 



[6] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 



The Praline-Seller* 

WHEN on the gray cathedral walls 
The early morning splendor falls 
Approaches good Tante Clementine, 
Marchande des calas, bonnes pralines. 

She takes her shady corner seat 
In a niche of Ursulines Street, 
Awaiting customers who pass. 
Returning from the daily mass. 

Her plaid tignon is gay of hue, 
Starched her gown of calico blue; 
Rustling like silk her apron white. 
For brush and pencil a delight. 

Fast comes trooping her clientele: 
Madame Le Doux, petite Adele, 
'Sieur Maurice and la belle Martine — 
All must have a pecan praline. 



Tante Clementine, last of the "old" praline-sellers. 

[7] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 

Pleasant her greeting: — ''Bonne, c'est ga! 
Bon jou', Madame, comment-Qa va? 
Et po ' vous, M 'sieur, voici, masse-pain ! 
Quan' Tante li fait, c'est assez, hein?" 



[8] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 



Philtre d' Amour* 

OLEANDERS quivered 
Behind the door's grating, 
And Angelique la belle 
Trembled — hesitating. 

"Ah, she, we know, is lost, 
The old, old saying goes," 

So the jasmine whispered 
In gossip to the rose. 

Scent of nightshade calls her. 
The night moths lure her on. 

Gray mosses hide the way 
That Angelique has gone. 

Sinister the shadows 
Covering up her flight 

To the poison flower 
Of baleful beauty bright, 



* Julian Street in "American Adventures" says love-philters 
are still obtainable in New Orleans. 



[9] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 

And barbaric splendor, 

Who garbed in dazzling hues, 

(Marie, the Voudou Queen), 
A subtle potion brews. 

Quickens her mystic dance, 
Close the blue flames hover — 

Now distills the Philtre 
For a lady's lover. 

Slim white hands receive it 

In ring of gold secure; 
Vanishes Angelique 

With footsteps swift and sure. 

Through the oleanders 

Victorious she goes — 
And the jasmine murmurs 

''Mechancete" to the rose. 



[10] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 



Mardi Gras 

"T" EVEZ, levez, Marie Didier ! 
JLi Too quickly time is passing on; 
Though you must pray St. Roch today, 
Behold the morning nearly gone." 

The sun climbs high into the skies, 
(Le cafe noir, Tante Philomene.) 

She will not raise her sleepy eyes, 
And poor Nenaine must plead in vain. 

"Levez, levez, Marie Didier! 

Suppose such sorrow should befall. 
As St. Roch turn his head away. 

And send no lover to the ball." 

So anxious she, that good Nenaine — 
Yet patient is St. Roch and kind. 

Who hears the prayers of youth, and then 
Will answer with a gracious mind. 

"Levez, levez, Marie Didier! 

Ah, not in vain we call you now — 

[11] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 

For, see, arrives the queen's bouquet, 
The crown to deck your radiant brow." 

Queen of a night, on mimic throne, 
A brief bright hour the sceptre sway : 

Then as a dream — as roses blown, 
Will vanish glory with the day. 



[12] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 



A Courtyard Garden 

THROUGrH the fountain's spray upspring- 

The golden lilies thronged to hear 
Pan in joyous piping singing 
To fragrant olives bending near. 

In its magic mirror showing, 

Set all across its mossy rim, 
Tawny giant jars are glowing 

Beneath the distant arches dim. 

A line of sentinels they stand, 

With graceful Moorish shapes revealed, 

Tall strangers from a far-off land, 
Where forty thieves once lay concealed. 

All the languorous southern day. 

Sang mocking-birds in cadence rare ; 

Like vivid butterflies at play 

Two children frolicked gaily there. 

[13] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 

The turbaned slave, slim dark Marcelle, 
Bronzed with the tints of tropic skies, 

Guarding the little Mademoiselle, 
Adoring her with faithful eyes. 

Ah, then the century was young, 

And life a measure passing fair 
To trip with laughter on the tongue. 

While Pan made merry piping there. 



[14] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 



Ave Maria 

AT eventide the old M'amselle 
Goes her accustomed way, 
Leaning on faithful Tante Marcelle, 
Up Chartres street to pray. 

Through her dim eyes the soul glows fair 

At setting of the sun — 
Fast fading like day lilies there 

Whose race is almost run. 

A toy of Fate — a fragile thing, 

Yielding her patient will. 
Hurt butterfly, whose broken wing 

With grace upholds her still. 

Ave Maria, the old M'amselle 

Is passing on her way. 
To music of St. Louis' bell. 

Up Chartres street to pray. 



[15] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 



Parfait Amour* 

THROUGH the courtyard's purple shadows 
On the old street St. Anne, 
Passed the small blaek-slippered feet 

Of Mademoiselle Susanne. 
In her slim hands, blue-veined and soft, 

A ruby-hued liqueur — 
From the rose 's very soul distilled — 
She brought Parfait Amour. 

O, sweet Susanne! Relentless Time, 

Whom timid Beauty flies; 
On you he laid a silver crown, 

Enchantment in your eyes. 
O, haunting Dream ! through all the years — 

Forever to endure! 
As through the old court's purple shade 

You brought Parfait Amour. 



The "Parfait Amour" is a cordial made of the hundred- 
leaf rose which alone retains the sweet odor indefinitely. 



[16] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 



Decedee* 

MARTINE LA TOUR — who yesterday 
Sang a light rondeau — fresh and gay, 
Wreathing an oleander spray 
In her dark hair, for us to say: 
"How fair you are, Martine, to-day!" 
At break of dawn, she went away, 
Left Grief in her sweet stead to stay — 
Martine, who taught us how to play. 



* "Decedee" — the notice of death posted through the Freiicli 
quarter of New Orleans on the streets, attached to any 
convenient place 



17 J 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 



Tous Saints 

"Bazilidee — Tombeau Cheri"* 

IN St. Louis' crumbling splendor, 
Where lowly lie the great, 
* ' Beloved Tomb ' ' — the simple words 
Follow her high estate. 

"Beloved Tomb," whose tapers burn 
With little tongues of light, 

To shine on her returning soul 
Upon this All Saints' night. 

We wonder, pausing by the way, 
Was she so young and fair, 

That cruel Death, when passing by. 
Snatched her, a gem, to wear. 

Or, did she live, until her hair 
Showed white as mountain snow? 

But, that she lived, and was beloved, 
Is all that we may know. 



On a tomb iu St. Louis Cemetery. 

[18] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 

The tapers burn, the garlands lie 

Over her rest to-day; 
For longer Love than Death endures, 

Unknown Bazilidee. 



110] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 



Jour de TAn 

XANTE DOUDOUCE calls us to hasten, 
Array ourselves en fete ; 
Greet Bonne Maman on New Year's Day, 
And try to be not late. 

St. Evremond stands with such an air, 

The head of all our line, 
A Peacock, in its scornful pride. 

Is really not so fine. 

And Bonne Maman says to Nenaine 

That he is tres gentil. 
So that he turns and moues at us. 

But this they cannot see. 

Old Croquemitaine, I hope, will come 

And stuff him in his pack. 
Which means our fine St. Evremond 

Will never more come back. 

Tante Doudouce, though, she loves him well ; 

And calls his mischief play • — 
And if old Croquemitaine should come — 

She'll frighten him away. 

[20] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 



Tante Philomene's Pot-au-Feu 

Tante Philomene goes to market, tying three 
knots in her handkerchief, which is bonne chance, 
for is not that La Trinite ? 

In the largest knot, the "two bits," which is 
her name for a quarter of a dollar ; and in each 
of the others a "quartie," or grocer's pledge, a 
metal disk, good for five cents in trade. 

Her first stop is at the butcher's, where five 
cents is expended for a veal shin, and he gives 
her, for lagniapj^e, a piece of bacon — lagniappe 
being a small bonus to a customer to promote 
pleasant feeling. 

She then goes to the vegetable stall where she 
buys a braid of onions for five cents, and five 
cents' worth of tomatoes, choosing here a soup 
bouquet, for one may select lagniappe ; and from 
the Choctaw Indian Squaw she buys five cents' 
worth of file, or pounded sassafras leaves, and 
the squaw gives her a bay leaf for lagniappe. 

Then, because five cents does not supply so 
many shrimp, the fish man throws in an extra 
handful for lagniappe, 

[21] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 

The last five cents buys half of a long loaf 
from the baker, and his lagniappe is a piece of 
brioche. 

With one quartie at the grocer's, she trades 
for some rice, and a spoonful of sugar for la- 
gniappe. 

The other quartie yields some coffee for her 
demi-tasse, and a few bonbons for lagniappe. 

So, she goes home, and puts on the pot-au-feu 
to simmer, while she suns herself placidly in 
the shadow of the great gateway on the Rue 
Toulouse, guarded by carved stone lions. 

As you pass, look for her — round and com- 
fortable. Tante Philomene has no need to fret 
her soul over high prices; for, where one has 
a quartie to trade, lagniappe for selection, and 
the French Market at hand, the world seems a 
very Elysium. 



[22] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 



Mammy Speaks 
I 

HONEY, whar de mimosa blow, 
Lir brown mocking-bird lightin' low; 
He fold his wings, an' quiet rest, 
He know de sun gone down de west. 

See, Mammy's chillen, weary too. 
An ' slumber closin ' eyes of blue — 
So, come, my sugars, les' we go. 
Time Birds an' Babies goes do-do. 

II 

Dis chile a bride ! Well, Gawd be praise ! 
De baby chile whar Mammy raise ; 
Dimplin' cheeks, like roses red. 
Gold hair a-shiniu' on her head. 

Mammy mus' lif ' de satin train, 
Some dust from off de flo ' might stain ; 
De niggers mighty keerless now, 
Dey don' try fer ter clean nohow. 

[23] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 

Ole Miss, she pin de veil o' lace 
Aroun' our baby's pretty face, 
En froo dem soft an' silken curls 
She string a chain o' precious pearls. 

But, honey, beauty though you be — 
Ole Miss, she lublier still to me; 
Sweeter dat face, so pale an' fair, 
Dan wild rose cheek an' golden hair, 

III 

Ole Miss, she res' in de gyarden 

When myrtles bloomin' red, 
An' de locus' shed its sweetness 

Over her droopin' head. 

I' mines me o' dat day gone by 
When Marster his sword drew ; 

An' he sez to me, "Good Patsy, 
I leaves Miss Anne wid you." 

She see him nex' so cold an' still 
My young Miss dun grow old. 

An' whiter turn dan locus' blooms 
De curls once bright wid gold. 

[24] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 

She lean on dis po' ole nigger, 

Her lowly friend, but true, 
Whar still can hear her Marster say, 

"I leaves Miss Anne wid you." 



IV 
Mammy Grown Old 

I'SE dun grow'd ole an' feeble, 
Wid de gray mist befo' my eyes — 
But my sperrit reach de valley 

Whar de graves of my white folks lies. 

One after one, I'se lay dem down 

In de cedars' shade to rest: 
One after one I'se closed dere eyes, 

Po' ole Patsy, she done her best. 

Soon uv a mawn, de call will come 
Fo' to climb up dat golden street — 

An' eyes grow'd dim to sights of earth 
Sees de paff of my white folks' feet. 



[25] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 



Indian Summer 

UP the broad fields and highways came 
A golden army all aflame ■ — 
Myriad hosts from far and wide, — 
Scarlet sumac on every side. 

I thought of what my Mammy said, 
Nodding her pleasant turbaned head — 
How, when in sheaves the corn they stack, 
Indian tribes come hastening back. 

Through the valleys and hills and dales, 
Through unforgotten woodland trails. 
Red men's spirits home to the sod 
In the advancing Goldenrod. 

"When the pale moon sends out her light, 
Sumac changes to blankets bright ; 
Corn stacks turn to Indian tepees, 
Indian piping sounds on the breeze. 

On subtle tread away they fly. 
Like breath of Autumn going by, 
Returning as a music strain. 
With Indian Summer on the plain. 

[26] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 



Virginia Myrtles 

HEAR Mammy from the door calling: 
"Chillen, come, de dews am falling. 
Ole Sandman got his buckets out, 
Shovels uv sand histin about." 

"Well, ended is the long sweet day; 

Ceases the pleasant hum of play, 

The swallows off to sleep have gone. 

Firefly lamps gleam on the lawn. 

And hooting owls shriek loud, ' ' Too-whoo ! 

Small boys and girls, to bed with you!" 

Mammy's voice again is calling: 
"Babies, dews is heavy falling; 
Sandman dun los' his temper quite. 
Come, now, my lambkins, say good night. 

"All froo de co'n de win' blow cole. 
But baby lambs am in de fole; 

[27] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 

Chicks all under de ole hen's wing — 
While Mammy to her chillen sing. 

"Sof up de road tip sly Brer Fox 
Bookity-Book erlong de rocks, 
Say to hisself — ' Cyan no one heah ? ' 
But Dominicker lift a year; 
She flop her wings an' yell, 'Gid out! 
Hi, Brer Fox, jes' you tu'n about!' 
Fice houn', Mose, he gin fer ter bay, 
'Brer Fox cum time ter run away, 
Case I'se a grip whar do'n leg go.' 
Brer Fox, he say, 'I reckin so — ' 
An' off he put — like win' he flew, 
Hollerin' loud, 'Good night to you.' 

"I see my babies' peepers close 
Dat lay so sof on cheeks of rose. 
So Mammy leave her blossoms white 
In Jesus' keepin' for de night." 



[28] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 



Everybody's Mammy 

OUR Mammy's lovely eyes are brown, 
Our Mammy's hugs are soft as down- 
No one like her quite miderstands 
The little wiles of dimpled hands; 
And who, so well, guides footsteps fleet 
Of straying, small, uncertain feet; 
Or, patient, lends a gracious ear 
For childish woes — the comforter ? 
Her kind arms always fold us in 
Tho' darkly dyed we are in sin. 
Whatever would we children do, 
Oh, Mammy, dearest, but for you? 



[29] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 



A Little Lad to Mammy 

WHEN the dark, dark night comes creeping, 
As the shadows rouse from sleeping, 
Under the orange sunset sky- 
Wide the glimmering marshes lie, 
Like sheets of molten shining gold. 
But the little elves quickly rolled 
It in bundles, packed it in crocks, 
And laid it deep among the rocks. 
Far away as the blackbird flies. 
Under the rainbow's end it lies. 
Now, I, some day, this gold will find — 
If I am very good and mind 
What my dear Mammy says to me. 
I'm then as good as a child can be. 
For all things in this world she knows — 
It's nice to live where Mammy grows. 



[30] 



Some Persimmons from Virginia 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 



HE sez tuh me, Marse John, he sez; 
"Go down to de aixpress, 
To dat pig's neck tie tightly on 
Dis tag wid de aidress." 

I cum 'long way tuh dis aixpress — 

An' hit no fawlt o' mine, 
Dat dis ere hawg chaw de aidress, 

Done et up whar he gwine. 



[33] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 



HIT tain' no treat bein' section 
Dis here Mt. Zion Church. 
Sort o' thinks de nex' 'lection, 
I leaves 'em in de lurch. 

Dem vestrymen some rumpus made ; 

Pass quarts fum han' to han'- — 
Den kase de pleeces makes a raid, 

Wid me dey raises san'. 

De womin folks whar gine de quire 
Git 'sputin' which am bes'; 

Lizeanne called Jane a liar — 
Gawd! I ain' heah de res'. 

I jes' got 'nuff bein' section; 

Sompin' alius bus' en fall. 
Ain ' gwine wait twel ' nex ' 'lection — 

Singin' Christians wus'n all. 



[35] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 



M-M-M-, dat nigger got ligion, 
Jes' heah her comin' thoo ! 
Ain' nuffin' mo'n a triflin' piece — 
Dat yaller Ma'y Lou. 

She sot her eye on de Pahson — 

Gal sho' enterprisin'; 
En she 'low to me she fotch him 

By de June baptizin'. 



[37] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 



NOW, Sis Mandy, give dem live coals 
A mighty caushiis rake; 
An' set dem greenin' cabbage leaves 
'Ronn' de juicy hoe cake. 

Kiver it wid dem hot ashes. 

Be keerful how you scoop — 
An' I'll jes' be back a clippen 

Fum ole Miss' chicken coop. 



[39] 



^:rh^^. 




SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 



NOW, I gotter pass dat grave-yahd 
But 'roiin' it set a wall, 
An' I ain' afeard o' nuffin'— 
Dey ain' no hants at all. 

I got my dram fer ter stay me — 

My lantern whar give light. 
(Dis here rooster quit his erowin') 
I sho' will be all right. 



[41] 



-rl.^^ I, 







SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 



^nr^IS a yeah sence we done lay him 

I In dat grave-yahd groun'— 
An' Marse John ain' took no foolin' — 
His niggers stood 'roun'. 

Shumate mek a mighty rustlin'! 

Sometin' movin', I 'low. 
Gawd, Marse John, I ain' got nuffin'! 

Rooster, I draps yo' now! 



[43] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 



MANDY, Mandy, I'se a-comin'! 
Mandy, heah I be ! 
Cracklins fryin' in de skittle, 
Hot ash cake do fur me. 



[45] 



SPANISH MOSS AND ENGLISH MYRTLE 



SCRAPE yo ' fiddles, mek 'em squeal - 
Chune up de ole Faginny Reel, 
Heah, yo' gal, wid de jay bird heel, 
Move lively, quit shirkin'! 

Now, swing yo' pardners, one en all! 
Gents to de right, step down de hall, 
Swaller yo' dram, hit de las' call. 
Dry time 'roun', he lurkin'. 

Throo dis town he cum a-stalkin', 
Trailin' all us niggers walkin'. 
En it tain' no use o' talkin', 
He kotch us yit some day. 

Cut de pidgen wing. Uncle Ras', 
En Pahson Brown, mos' kynly pass 
Dat tickler whar yo' nip fum las' 
Without no mo' delay. 



[46] 



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